Taking Charge of Your Future
5 Do's and 5 Don'ts

Being secure and prepared at retirement doesn't just happen by itself.
The government, social security or your employer retirement plan aren't
usually enough. Spending some time now to plan for the future may make
the difference between a secure retirement and an insecure one. Take a
look at some of these Do's and Don'ts and take charge of YOUR FUTURE.

Do's:

1. Make annual contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts. You can
contribute to either a Traditional IRA or a ROTH IRA. Check with your
tax accountant or financial advisor to see what works best for you. For
2000, you can contribute up to $2000 for yourself and a spouse until
April 15th. If your children have earned income, you can set up a ROTH
IRA for them also.

3. Practice dollar cost averaging. Invest consistently and over time.
This takes the guesswork out of trying to time the market. Invest a
fixed dollar amount at regular intervals no matter whether the market
is up or down. You'll get fewer shares when the market is up and more
when the prices are low. Averaged out, the returns are usually better
that guessing and trying to time the market.

4. Determine your comfort level with risk. Can you tolerate the ups
and downs of the financial market or do they keep you awake at night?
Invest according to your comfort level.

5. Diversify your portfolio. Spread your savings across a number of
different investments. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket.

2. Avoid instant gratification. Think long and hard about each
purchase you make. Do you really need that fancy new car now or can you
save a few more years and drive the one you own?

3. Don't think short-term. We should all have major long-term goals
that we are working towards. When thinking short-term, you lose the
luxury of time, which usually offers higher rates of return.

4. Don't carry balances on your credit cards and don't get in the
habit of taking out loans and credit advances. Pay off your debts and
stay out of debt. Don't keep credit cards in your wallet if you can't
pay them off each month.

5. Don't ignore your finances. Track them on a weekly/monthly basis.
Make adjustments as necessary and there won't be any surprises waiting
for you when your time finally comes to RETIRE!